Stories by Jacob Thorpe for the Spokesman-Review

Sports

Kicker Eric Powell has earned the most stripes on WSU’s special teams

Thu., Aug. 25, 2016

When Eric Mele got his first shot at a premier assistant coaching gig, he militarized Washington State’s special teams. He gave the group a “special forces” identity, promoted Colton Teglovic to lieutenant (in nickname, at least) and gave the group gear with a distinct military theme. It’s about time he had his sniper.

Sports

Mike Leach adds intrigue to Shalom Luani arrest, indicates player might have been victim

Thu., Aug. 25, 2016

Mike Leach added some intrigue to the controversy surrounding the recent arrest of star Washington State football player Shalom Luani after practice on Thursday, indicating that the football player charged with second-degree assault may have in fact been the victim.

Sports

Receiver C.J. Dimry shows flash during WSU’s Thursday session

Thu., Aug. 25, 2016

At 6-foot-5, 201 pounds, wide receiver C.J. Dimry presents a matchup issue for almost any defensive back. So what chance do the true freshmen have?

Sports

C.J. Dimry dominates first Thursday Night Football of 2016

Thu., Aug. 25, 2016

At 6-foot-5, 201-pounds wide receiver C.J. Dimry presents a matchup issue for almost any defensive back. So what chance do the true freshmen have?

Sports

Mike Leach says initial indication is Shalom Luani was attacked

Thu., Aug. 25, 2016

."The initial fact-finding thing sounds like he got jumped by three people, but we'll wait until it unfolds," says WSU coach Mike Leach.

Sports

Eric Mele breaks down the punt game

Thu., Aug. 25, 2016

The WSU special teams coordinator gives some insight into the Cougars punting game.

Sports

WSU position preview: Cougars finally have reason to celebrate their secondary

Wed., Aug. 24, 2016

For the most overtly sociable guy on the team, Marcellus Pippins sure is a loner.

Sports

WSU safety Shalom Luani arrested for felony assault

Wed., Aug. 24, 2016

Washington State starting free safety Shalom Luani was arrested early Wednesday morning after allegedly breaking a man’s nose during a dispute outside Domino’s Pizza in Pullman.

Sports

WSU football chat (transcript)

Wed., Aug. 24, 2016

Everything said during this morning's WSU football chat.

Sports

WSU position preview: Speed defines Cougars’ linebacker corps

Tue., Aug. 23, 2016

During the one and one half seasons Peyton Pelluer has started in the middle of Washington State’s defense, the middle linebacker has seen plenty of new faces line up alongside him. Lately, the mugs have pretty similar to the guys who used to line up about seven yards behind him.

Sports

Jamal Morrow says the Cougars are excited to play somebody else

Tue., Aug. 23, 2016

With just a few practices left before the season-opener, the Cougars are ready for a new opponent.

Sports

Parker Henry says Cougars are more businesslike

Tue., Aug. 23, 2016

The WSU nickel talks about how the team stays fresh during practices, and how the approach has changed since last season.

Sports

Gabe Marks does not care about regional rivalries

Tue., Aug. 23, 2016

Eastern Washington or Eastern Alaska, it's all the same to WSU receiver Gabe Marks.

Sports

Mike Leach says WSU Cougars have true confidence

Tue., Aug. 23, 2016

Last year the Cougars were optimistic, not confident, says the head coach.

Sports

Idaho and WSU agree to play in 2020

Tue., Aug. 23, 2016

Washington State and Idaho have yet to face each other in 2016, but the two football programs have already added a 2020 rematch.

Sports

WSU position preview: Defensive line has skills to make up for lack of size

Mon., Aug. 22, 2016

The transition from high school to college is tough for everybody, even harder for football players and particularly challenging for those who play on the defensive line.

Sports

WSU position preview: Maturity on offensive line provides opportunity to build depth

Sun., Aug. 21, 2016

The coaches at Washington State may tend toward hyperbole when talking about just how bad the offensive line depth was when the Mike Leach regime began in Pullman back in 2012.

Sports

WSU Cougars receive 29th-most votes in AP poll

Sun., Aug. 21, 2016

The Washington State football team received 68 votes in the 2016 preseason AP Top-25 poll, released Sunday morning, effectively making it the 29th-ranked team in the country.

Sports

WSU offense gets plenty of work after flat scrimmage

Sat., Aug. 20, 2016

The presumptive starting players on Washington State’s offense got a great triceps workout on Saturday, frequently heading to the sidelines for a series of up-downs.

Sports